Online pawnbroker to open bricks and mortar shop after rise in customers

The rise in hard-up customers hocking their belongings to raise extra cash has prompted online pawnbroker Borro.com to open a bricks and mortar shop.

It will announce today it is making the leap from the virtual world to launch five physical sites.

The first site will be on London's Chancery Lane where clients will be able to take items in to be valued.

Close inspection: Borro.com is making the leap from the virtual world to launch five physical sites

It has already taken diamonds, paintings, a Ferrari and Aston Martin from bankers pawning luxury items.

Paul Aitken, chief executive and founder, said: 'The vast majority of our clients use our online service, but it clear that there are city-based clients, many with high-value assets like fine art, sculptures and diamond collections who prefer face to face valuations.'